Hopeful 2020-21
Helping our community express feelings of hope for the future by contributing funds to the TCPS Education Fund at Mid-Shore Community Foundation in support of mental health services in our schools particularly during the pandemic crisis.
Hopeful 2020 volunteers gather at the illumination ceremony on July 10th.
The kick-off celebration for Hopeful 2020 in Thompson Park.
ABOUT HOPEFUL 2020-21
In collaboration with Jim Kempner Fine Arts in NYC and with the support of local donors, Dock Street Foundation has procured signs made by Charlie Hewitt, a renowned painter and sculptor, to be placed in Easton during this challenging time.
On May 31, 2019, Hewitt unveiled his 24-foot-long HOPEFUL creation in Portland, Maine on top of a non-profit artist-run studio and gallery. In creating the sign, he expected the sentiment of the piece to be inspirational. “I wanted to remind folks to be grateful for their country and families. To think of the quality of life we have here and always be hopeful,” Hewitt said. Since the installation of the sign, Hewitt created smaller versions and was pleased to hear about our interest in Easton, particularly as he grew up in Grant Mills, Maryland when his family settled here in the early 60’s. After college and a time pursuing an art career in NYC, Hewitt returned to Maryland to work on various artistic, historical and theatre community projects in St. Mary’s City. He often collaborated with the Maryland Arts Council and the Maryland Humanities Council. While now a resident of Maine, Charlie continues to create. His work has been collected by the Metropolitan Museum of Art, MOMA, the Whitney, the Brooklyn Museum, New York Public Library and Library of Congress. In 2012, Charlie’s sculpture “Urban Rattle” was installed along NYC’s now famous High Line walkway.
In communicating about Project Hopeful, Hewitt writes, “I believe firmly in the transformative power of the arts and appreciate the opportunity to work with you in Easton.”
Dock Street Foundation’s goal is to raise $100,000 with all proceeds going to Mid-Shore/Covid-19 Fund for those non-profits directly effecting health, homelessness and hunger in our community. The signs will remain in high visibility areas in Easton until the threat of the virus is under control. Eventually, the signs will be sold or auctioned, with the proceeds going to support the fund and Hewitt’s work.
Hopeful 2020-21 Gallery
